1996 - 2008

// 1996
ESAB’s first friction stir welding machine, SuperStir™, is supplied to Marine Aluminium in Norway.

// 1997
ESAB introduces the first PEH digital process control to be used in mass-production welding technology, based on the BUS system. The power of Caddy portable appliances is boosted by a new, 5-kg lighter inverter.

// 1998
Launch of Marathon Pac Octagonal.

ESAB acquires a majority holding in the Polish company Ozas, manufacturers of welding machines and parts.

ESAB acquires a majority holding in one of the leading manufacturers of agglomerated flux in Fersab, Poland.

ESAB takes over the AlcoTec Wire Company in the USA, the world’s largest producer of aluminium wire.

ESAB wins a major contract with Boeing and supplies FSW equipment for welding fuel tanks for the aerospace industry.

// 1999
ZAO ESAB-SVEL is established in St. Petersburg, Russia.

ESAB acquires a major shareholding in Elektrody Baildon in Poland.

SIB Spa in Italy is acquired. SIB is a production unit for non-alloyed MAG wires.

ESAB GmbH in Solingen, Germany, celebrates 50 years of successful operation.

With the issue of a limited edition LAW Euro-Edition, the company establishes a link with economic welding in this millennium.

The ESAB Group takes on the black-and-yellow brand identity as its corporate identity.

// 2000
ESAB-HANCOCK GmbH changes its company name to ESAB CUTTING SYSTEMS GmbH on a global level.
ESAB acquires an electrode plant in St. Petersburg, Russia.

// 2001
ESAB opens a subsidiary in Moscow, Russia.
ESAB starts production of solid stainless steel wires in Vamberk in the Czech Republic.

// 2002
ESAB establishes its headquarters in London, UK.

// 2004
ESAB celebrates its Centenary.

// 2005
ESAB takes a majority shareholding in the South American joint venture Conarco.

// 2006
ESAB opens a consumables plant in Zhangjiagang, China.
ESAB becomes the first multinational in the steel and welding industry to implement and achieve the global ISO 14001 certification for environmental management systems.

// 2007
Opening of a new marketing company in Rumania. 
ESAB buys ATAS GmbH, a German company providing software solutions.
ESAB acquires the welding and cutting division of Air Liquide Argentina S.A. (coated  electrode products).
ESAB acquires Bulgarian electrode manufacturer Electrodes JSC.
A new assembly line for agglomerated flux is completed at ESAB’s SVEL Plant in St. Petersburg, Russia.
ESAB wins two Frost & Sullivan Awards; 2006 Company of the Year and Competitive Strategy Leadership Award.

// 2008
ESAB Holdings Ltd acquires Romar Positioning Equipment Pte Limited, an Asian manufacturer specialising in welding automation, rotating and positioning equipment.
ESAB achieves ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification for environmental and occupational, health & safety management systems.